Ashleigh Michele Green and Stephen Charles Perlis, who both work at Market Intelligence, S&P Global’s financial technology division, met in a job interview. Ashleigh received an offer but decided to work at a startup instead; however, fate was not to be deterred, and she joined the firm nearly two years later. “Steve and I reconnected and got to know each other as ‘work friends,’ before it became obvious to us (and our co-workers) that we were meant to be more,” she says.
After a year and a few months of dating, Steve proposed while on a trip to Japan. “I have family roots in Japan, and Steve decided long before the proposal that he wanted to do it in Tokyo. We made our way to Hama Rikyu—a quiet park with traditional gardens and teahouses surrounded by the skyscrapers of the city. There, he led me up a hill to a bench overlooking it all, and after nervously explaining the metaphor of my ‘past and our future,’ he took a knee,” she says.
As soon as the engaged pair visited the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, they knew they had found their ceremony and reception venue. “It was lined with bamboo trees, and the main building on the property was modeled after a Japanese shrine. This surprise connection drew us in immediately,” Ashleigh says. The property is 16-acres of manicured gardens with Chihuly glass in the lily pond and sculptures by Willem de Kooning, Buckminster Fuller, and Yoko Ono scattered about. To bring her wedding vision to life, Ashleigh hired Missi Flowers and Duke + Van Deusen. The bride wanted was set on having seasonal florals and to include dahlias, which are her favorites.
When it came to choosing a wedding dress, Ashleigh already knew that she would wear either Oscar de la Renta or Carolina Herrera, and the former came out on top. “It was exactly what I was going for—a simple, silk faille dress with floral appliqués that referenced the gardens at our venue. I didn’t think I would be one of those brides who cried when they found their dress, but of course I did. My best friends and mom were there, and an adorable little girl was outside the window on Madison Avenue staring up at me. It was a very sweet moment,” she says.
For jewelry, she went to her friend, Briony Raymond, who owns a fine jewelry atelier on the Upper East Side. They chose posey double drop diamond earrings with a white-gold diamond bangle for the ceremony.
The bride met her makeup artist, Dani Levi, through Tracy Anderson workout classes, and she came highly recommended from the planners. Also close with Duke + Van Deusen was her hairstylist, Anabel Santos, from the Sally Hershberger team.
Steve looked “I do”-ready in a black, peak-lapel tuxedo by Sebastien Grey, black bowtie, and white silk pocket square. He completed the outfit with black velvet Stubbs & Wootton slippers and his grandfather’s cufflinks. Bridesmaids picked their own blue dresses and ended up with a mix of Johanna Ortiz, LoveShackFancy, AMUR, Borgo De Nor, and more.
On the ceremony day, it was a perfect 72-degrees and sunny. The large wedding party walked down the fern-lined aisle, and only the best man and maid of honor remained standing. The live band played “She” by Elvis Costello, as Ashleigh walked with her dad to meet Steve and their close friend, who acted as officiant—“Steve had officiated his wedding a few years ago,” says the bride. After the sweet service, cocktail hour began on the nearby lawn.
For the reception, guests walked under the white sailcloth Sperry Tent across the Montauk driftwood dance floor to find their seats. Reggie Woods & The Soul Street Band, who played at one of Ashleigh’s bridesmaid’s wedding the year before, helped the newlyweds kick off their entrance and immediately started “Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits for their first dance.
The delicious meal was catered by Heritage Aristocrat, who specialize in “farm-to-wedding” experiences, using local and seasonal ingredients. Among other drinks, wine from Wölffer Estate Vineyard flowed generously, while toasts were being given by the best man and father-of-the-bride.
To cut their cake and hit the dance floor, Ashleigh changed into an Oscar de la Renta sequin party dress, and Steve and his father put on white dinner jackets. The after-party commenced at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, where guests danced to live music until the early hours of the morning.
